On Florida Shores March, by C.E. Duble; arr. Andy Isca
Charles Edward Duble (1884-1960) played trombone in, and composed music for, circus bands. He composed this march in 1926.

Three International Carols, arr. John S. Kitts-Turner, featuring Karen Adair, Soprano
The three carols are Germany’s “O Tannenbaum,” England’s “The Holly and the Ivy” and France’s “Noel Nouvelet.”

Christmas Swing, arr. Dizzy Stratford
This arrangement is based on the carol, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” “Dizzy Stratford” is the pseudonym of popular Dutch-born composer Jacob de Haan.

The Christmas Song, Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, arranged by Jerry Nowak, featuring Gary Langford, Trumpet
In July 1945 Mel Tormé (1925-1999) drove to the California home of his lyricist and collaborator Robert Wells. He found lyrics lying on the piano. Wells explained, “It was so . . . hot today, I thought I’d write something to cool myself off. All I could think of was Christmas and cold weather.” Tormé replied, “You know, this just might make a song. The Christmas Song was written in about 45 minutes later that day. Tormé quickly showed the song to his friend Nat Cole, whose 1946 hit recording is now a beloved holiday classic. .”

The Dreydl Song, arr. John S. Kitts-Turner, featuring Karen Adair, Narrator and Soprano
This arrangement is based on the traditional Hanukah song, “I have A Little Dreydl.” A dreydl (also spelled dreidel) is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Hanukkah to play a popular children’s game that involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which Hebrew letter will be showing when the dreidel stops spinning.

Christmas Recollections, arr. John Edmondson
John Edmondson earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida in 1955, served two years in Army bands, then received the Master of Music degree from the University of Kentucky in 1960. Christmas Recollections is a medley that includes “Frosty The Snowman,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” “Here Comes Santa Claus” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”

Playful Variations on Good King Wenceslas, by John S. Kitts-Turner
John S. Kitts-Turner, who wrote or arranged four of the numbers on this program, is professor emeritus of music, having taught bassoon and Music History at the University of Florida for 34 years. He is still very active in music, and among other interests, serves as the Gainesville Community Band’s principal bassoonist.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Newell H. Long, featuring Gary Langford, Narrator
Who wrote “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (more popularly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas”)? First printed in an 1823 Troy, New York, newspaper, it was credited to “anonymous.” But in 1844, Clement C. Moore acknowledged that he had written the work. Or did he? There are those who now believe the popular poem was, in reality, written long before 1844, by Henry Livingston, a poet of Dutch ancestry who lived in upstate New York. No matter who the author, it is still a Christmas perennial, especially in this musical setting by Newell H. Long, and especially with Gainesville’s favorite trumpet player, Gary Langford, narrating it!

A Christmas Festival, by Leroy Anderson
Who doesn’t love the music of Leroy Anderson (1908-1975)? Anderson, one of the most successful composers of semi classical music in the 20th Century, also achieved popular success; his Blue Tango, for example, made #1 on the 1952 Hit Parade. That same year Anderson wrote this medley, which consists of “Joy to the World,” “Deck the Halls,” “God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen,” Good King Wenceslas,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “The First Noel,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.”

Sleigh Ride, by Leroy Anderson
Like Tomé’s, “The Christmas Song,” this cold-weather piece was written in hot weather. Shortly after his service in World War II and being released from active duty, Anderson and his family spent the summer at Painter Hill in Woodbury, Connecticut. It was here in Woodbury, during a heat wave, that he wrote of one of his most continually popular compositions, Sleigh Ride.

Featuring:

Karen Adair

Karen Adair’s voice has been described as “crystal clear and so strong that when she sang everything else on stage melted away“ (Ocala Star Banner), “powerful and polished” (Daytona Beach News Journal), “Warm and opulent . . . Hers is a most expressive voice.” (The Times Herald-Record, NY). The Florida Times-Union Fine Arts writer wrote, “Her voice made hearts shudder”. She has appeared with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia [Bulgaria] Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensamble Rosario (Argentina), Ormond Beach Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony, First Coast Opera, and Florida’s First Coast Arts Festival. She emerged professionally with the Central Florida Symphony, members of the Savannah Symphony Orchestra, the Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble (NYC), and the Orlando Opera Company, for whom she was a Resident Artist.

Gary Langford

University of Florida Professor Emeritus of Music and popular jazz trumpet/flugelhorn player Gary Langford will play with the band and narrate “The Night Before Christmas.” After graduating from the prestigious University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program, Professor Langford began a 37-year career at Florida, where he served as Professor of Music, Assistant Director of the School of Music, and Director of the Concert Band, the Marching Band and the Jazz Band. An accomplished arranger, Professor Langford has completed over 400 arrangements for marching band. He was recognized by the International Association of Jazz Educators as a recipient of their Outstanding Jazz Educator Award. He was honored twice by the University of Florida as Teacher of the Year. He introduced thousands of students to jazz through his popular Jazz History class.

The Band was founded in 1974 with eleven members. In 1978, the Gainesville City Commission passed a resolution designating the GCB as the Official Community Band of Gainesville. With a current a roster of about 80 members, the Band is made up of teachers, professors, scientists, business professionals, students, physicians, contractors, realtors, trades-persons, and retirees.